With Jon Lester officially headed to the Chicago Cubs, the market for starting pitchers will really start to move. Often, that first big deal creates a chain reaction as teams and players suddenly get a read on the current market...and with Yankees manager Joe Girardi ready to get out his checkbook, we expect to see movement on at least one of these targets in the next few days.
Max Scherzer
Scherzer is the Yankees' #1 target, and there were rumblings that they prioritized the former Tigers ace above Jon Lester. It now sounds like Scherzer is after a deal north of $200 million, but the Yankees - aware their division is strengthening around them - will likely be willing to pay up. While the Yankees weren't planning on making a run at Scherzer as recently as last month, it sounds like the activity within the AL (and the AL East specifically) is forcing them into action.
The Giants, Red Sox, Dodgers, Tigers & more are all in the chase for the 2013 Cy Young winner, so even if the Yankees do put together a massive offer, it's likely they won't be alone.
Brandon McCarthy
The Yankees are very interested in retaining McCarthy, and after his performances in pinstripes last year, it isn't hard to see why. After struggling through a brutal stint with the Diamondbacks (we should note that stats indicate this wasn't entirely his fault), McCarthy was excellent for the Yankees, going 7-5 with significant improvements in nearly every statistical category.
McCarthy is supposedly looking for a deal in the four-years, $50 million range. With New York's resources and desire to bring him back, that shouldn't be much of a problem.
Brett Anderson
Anderson has been flying under the radar in free agency so far, but we know the Yankees have been fans of his for a while. The Yanks tried to trade for Anderson back in July, but were rebuffed by the Rockies - Colorado's denial turned out to be a good thing for New York, though, because shortly after Anderson underwent season-ending back surgery.
Anderson's injury history means he won't be one of the pricier players out there this winter, and the Yankees are looking at Anderson as a possible low-risk, high-reward option.
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